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Bush Job Approval Now at 65%

Rating among political independents reaches post-Sept. 11 low

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

PRINCETON, NJ -- George W. Bush's current job approval rating
stands at 65%, his lowest rating since the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks. The Aug. 19-21 rating represents a continuation of the
gradual decline in Bush's job approval observed since its high
point of 90% in September; however, his current rating is still
higher than any he received prior to Sept. 11. This most recent
approval rating is 11 percentage points lower than it was just two
months ago.

George W. Bush's Job Approval Rating

The steady decline in Bush's overall job approval rating can be
attributed in large part to changes in the opinions of Democrats.
Over the last 11 months, Bush's level of approval among Democrats
has decreased from the mid-80% to the 50% range.

The most recent poll also shows a significant decline among
political independents. Earlier this month, 65% of independents
approved of the way Bush was handling his job as president. Now,
56% of that group approves, by far the lowest rating from
independents since September 2001.

Bush's rating among Republicans remains in the middle 90s, where
it has been since September 2001.

George W. Bush's Job Approval Rating: By
Party

Survey Methods

These results are based on telephone interviews with a randomly
selected national sample of 801 adults, aged 18 and older,
conducted Aug. 19-21, 2002. For results based on this sample, one
can say with 95% confidence that the maximum error attributable to
sampling and other random effects is ±4%. In addition to
sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in
conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of
public opinion polls.

Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is
handling his job as president?

Slightly more Americans agree (52%) than disagree (45%) that the federal government is responsible for making sure all Americans have healthcare coverage. This balance of views is similar to last year.

Americans' daily self-reports of spending averaged $98 in November, up from $93 in October. The latest figure is the highest average recorded for the month of November since Gallup began tracking consumer spending in 2008.